Ian Brennan, the prolific writer and producer known for his collaborations with Ryan Murphy, has built a career on blending genres—from the musical highs of Glee to the horror-comedy of Scream Queens and the chilling anthology Monster. The series, which has previously delved into the minds of Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, and the Menendez brothers, now turns its lens to a female killer for the first time: Lizzie Borden, played by Ella Beatty.
Borden, famously acquitted in 1892 for the axe murders of her parents, is the centerpiece of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. But this season isn't just about her. Brennan has woven in two other infamous women—Elizabeth Báthory (Vicky Krieps) and Aileen Wuornos (Sarah Paulson)—to explore female rage across centuries. In a recent interview, Brennan opened up about why these figures were essential, the season's more comedic tone, and the killers they ultimately scrapped.
A Darkly Comedic Turn
Unlike previous seasons, this installment leans into a more overtly humorous style. Brennan explained that the Victorian setting naturally lent itself to irony. "That repressed Victorian environment lends itself to a lot of irony," he said. "There are a lot of things that are clearly happening but going unsaid, and I found myself tickled throughout a lot of it." He noted that a similar dark humor existed in earlier seasons, but here it's more pronounced.
Why Aileen Wuornos and Elizabeth Báthory?
Brennan wanted to show that female rage isn't a historical anomaly. "We wanted to touch on the idea of female rage not being just one isolated event, but something that reaches into both the deep past and also into the present," he said. When Wuornos enters the story, it's a powerful moment that connects the past to today. "The repression that drove her crazy and made her do this horrific act, it's still there," he added. The inclusion of Báthory, a 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman, further extends the timeline.
Research and Surprising Sympathy
Brennan avoided watching other adaptations, preferring primary sources. He was surprised to find himself feeling for Borden, even though he believes she was guilty. "I really felt bad for her and felt so intrigued about why she would do that," he said. "She was a young woman who was in a cage her whole life." This empathy, he said, made the story more compelling.
Casting Chemistry
The casting process for Lizzie was extensive, but Ella Beatty stood out immediately. "Seeing Ella's tape—she's like the only person who could have done it," Brennan recalled. "I knew right away. It was, like, seven seconds in." He also praised the chemistry between Beatty and Vicky Krieps, which was immediate, even though they didn't do chemistry reads. "It's such magic when you see that kind of chemistry on screen," he said.
Scrapped Monster Stories
Brennan also revealed that they've considered other killers but ultimately passed. While he didn't name them, he hinted that some ideas didn't fit the series' evolving vision. Fans of the show can look forward to more seasons, as the premiere date for this season has already been set.
The show's use of a modern soundtrack, including female punk hits from the '70s and '80s, also helps bridge the past and present. "Something about adding music, when it's right, immediately makes it feel more contemporary," Brennan explained. This choice, combined with the historical and modern narratives, makes Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story a unique entry in the anthology.
For fans of true crime and character-driven drama, this season promises a fresh take on a familiar story, with a nod to the ongoing relevance of its themes. As Brennan put it, "It's a myth to think that's somehow in our past."
